..::Football III::..

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Cocu: Depay will become Manchester United star

PSV coach Phillip Cocu insists Memphis Depay just needs a little time to become a Manchester United star as the two sides get set to face off in the Champions League on Tuesday.

United travel to the Phillips Stadion with Depay coming off the back of an underwhelming performance against Liverpool on Saturday which led to his substitution at half-time.But the Netherlands star, who arrived at Old Trafford in a £22.3 million switch this summer, has been tipped for great things in the red shirt by his former PSV boss.

“I think each player will need some time to get used to a certain league like the Premier League, and I’m not surprised he has some ups and downs,” admitted Cocu at a pre-match press conference.

“But he’s also a player who is prepared to take risks in his actions. If he is not successful then he will get some criticism, but he can be decisive also. I’m sure when he’s played a few months he’ll get better and better, I’m convinced.”

Depay scored twice in the home leg of United’s 7-1 Champions League play-off win over Club Brugge. And while he is yet to find the net in five league fixtures, Cocu believes he has all the quality necessary to be a success in England.

“He will bring goals, he always likes to play towards the goal. He will not only score goals, but he also has vision, a good eye for other players, and he’s a player the opponent will put two players on meaning the rest of the players will benefit.
“It’s usual that in the Premier League you will need time to grow but he is very strong and is a quick learner also. With time he will pick it up very fast.”

Cocu comes up against his former Barcelona and Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal in Tuesday’s encounter. And while he admits they haven’t spoken much since their days working together, the former midfielder has defended the United boss’ style of play, which has come in for some criticism recently.

“Each team has its preferences and plays its own style,” added the 44-year-old. “We have our own style of playing football as part of our philosophy. They have very good quality in the team and are very strong on the ball and they don’t lose a lot of possession. The most important thing for us is that we make sure that we can use our qualities in the game.”

“We don’t have a lot of contact. We worked together in the national team and then at Barcelona when he was my coach. He made me a better player, the tactical skills, the way he worked with the team. Afterwards when I stopped playing, as a coach we met some times but we didn’t speak about how we play the game, or him giving me any advice.”

 

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Carvajal: Ronaldo proved he's the best

Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal says Cristiano Ronaldo again proved that he is the best footballer in the world by bagging five goals in the 6-0 victory over Espanyol.

The 30-year-old Portugal international had failed to score in his first two Liga games of the season but responded with an incredible individual display in Catalunya, leaving his team-mate in doubt as to who is the greatest player on the planet.

Carvajal said: "Everyone who plays football knows that it isn't easy to score five goals. This is the best league in the world and Cristiano again proved he is the best player in the world."

The right-back also discussed his rapport with Gareth Bale down Madrid's right hand side, adding: "Whether I play with Bale, Isco or James [Rodriguez], the understanding is important.

"I'm in my third season playing with Gareth now and we understand each other perfectly."

Carvajal's Madrid future appeared to be under threat after Madrid bought Danilo from Porto this summer, only for the Brazilian to suffer a foot injury while on international duty last week.

His absence has handed the former Bayer Leverkusen man an opportunity for a run of games in the side, though he insists he feels sorry for his rival.

"Unfortunately a team-mate is injured, but the coach knows I've worked hard in training and now I have a chance to play and make the best of the situation," Carvajal stated.

Rafa Benitez's side begin their Champions League campaign this week when they host Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday and Carvajal admits European glory is again high on their list of priorities this term.

"The Champions League is the most important club level competition. We are not required to win, but to play a role in it and obtain the title.

"We hope to play well and get the three points for our fans."

 

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'Dybala is no Messi' - Capello

Fabio Capello says that while Paulo Dybala can be a big hit at Juventus, it is wrong to compare the attacker to Lionel Messi.

Dybala took Serie A by storm last season, scoring 13 times in 35 appearances for Palermo to earn himself a €32 million move to Turin.

Rosanero president Maurizio Zamparini repeatedly compared the 21-year-old to four-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi and Dybala has made an impressive start to his Juve career, netting three goals in his first four competitive outings.

However, Capello still believes that there is much room for improvement and says that the comparisons with Messi are wide of the mark.

"Messi was already doing certain things at 17 at Barcelona that made one realise that he would become a phenomenon," the former Juve boss told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Dybala needs time to better understand how to play for a big team.

"However, he has all the qualities to do so: imagination, dribbling and a left for that he knows how to hurt teams with."

While Dybala has started the season well, Juve have not, with the reigning Italian champions collecting just one point from their opening three Serie A fixtures.

Consequently, there is a modicum of pressure on coach Massimiliano Allegri, even though the former AC Milan boss led the Old Lady to a domestic double last season, as well as the final of the Champions League.

However, Capello feels that the 48-year-old is well used to handling such situations and is confident that the deadline-day signing of midfield ace Hernanes from Inter will aid Juve's recovery.

"Max is an experienced coach now," he added. "He knows what he has to do and how to manage certain moments.

"And from training Juventus, he knows that a season of transition just does not exist.

"Anyway, Juve have a defensive system of play that they know very well and this is important.

"They will need a little while to gel in the offensive phase, but I believe that the arrival of Hernanes can help them rediscover the old fluidity of their game."

 

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Di Maria: I didn't get on well with Van Gaal

Paris Saint-Germain summer signing Angel Di Maria has admitted that he "did not get on well" with Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal and that neither he nor his family were ever truly happy in England.

The Argentina international joined the Red Devils from Real Madrid in the summer of 2014 for a British record fee of £59.7 million and he made an impressive start to his Old Trafford career.

However, Di Maria struggled for both form and fitness the longer the season went on, while his family were also shaken by a break-in at their home on January 31, with his wife refusing to return house after the burglary.

The 27-year-old has now admitted that given the problems he was facing on and off the field, he felt that he had no option but to seek a transfer to PSG.

"Honestly, we were not happy," the winger told Le Parisien. "At the beginning, we were a little. But then things became complicated.

"Life in England was a bit difficult. It is not easy for a South American. Some people get on fine, and for others it is harder to adapt.

"I didn't get on very well with the coach, so I think the decision to join Paris was the best solution.

"After [the break-in] it wasn't reasonable to stay. My family wasn't happy. My daughter was suffering. So it was important to leave.

"After the end of the Premier League, I went to the Copa America," Di Maria continued.

"It was at that moment that I started to see that the possibility of joining PSG was real.

"But even last year, before joining Manchester, I could have signed for Paris. It didn't happen for reasons you already know [Financial Fair Play restrictions on PSG].

"But I believe it was my destiny to end up at Paris.

"From the little I have seen, our life here in France resembles more the life we led in Spain or Portugal. And at the moment we are 100 percent satisfied."

Di Maria had joined United after playing a key role in Madrid winning a 10th European Cup courtesy of a 4-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final in May of last year.

Consequently, he found it tough being a spectator during the 2014-15 tournament and is thus looking forward excitedly to PSG's group-stage opener against Benfica on Tuesday.

"Last season was difficult for me," Di Maria admitted.

"I didn't play much and it was tough to watch the Champions League on television after winning it with Real Madrid.

"On Tuesday, I will feel the same emotion as I have every time since my first match for Benfica. It is a magnificent competition."

 

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Ibrahimovic should be fit to face Malmo - Blanc

Laurent Blanc is confident that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be fit to face old club Malmo when Paris Saint-Germain get their Champions League campaign under way on Tuesday.

The Sweden star was rested for Friday's draw with Bordeaux in order to boost his chances of lining up against the team where he began his career this week.

Ibrahimovic will face further tests at the end of PSG's final training session, but Blanc is optimistic that the striker will be ready for selection.

"I think Ibra has a great chance to be in the group. We'll see at the end of training," he told reporters.

"We have to prepare for a great Champions League match. We prepare for games in the same way, regardless of the opponent.

"[On Tuesday] we have to feel the necessary pressure in order to win a home Champions League match. Our intention is to win."

Goalkeeper Kevin Trapp's costly error handed Bordeaux a dramatic equaliser on Friday, but his coach has given him his full backing.

"Trapp is a good goalkeeper, he made a mistake against Bordeaux but I hope that, next time, he'll do better," he said.

Midfielder Thiago Motta also refused to lay the blame solely on Trapp and has urged his side not to become complacent against the Swedish champions.

"Everyone can make mistakes, so you shouldn't blame Kevin Trapp," he said. "In football, when the collective works, it's more difficult to make individual mistakes - and we made a lot of collective errors against Bordeaux.

"We have to be at 100 per cent to play against Malmo at get the three points.

"We'll have to keep possession of the ball and not give them any chances.

"When the season starts, you always hope to go far in the Champions League. But we must think of the present."

 

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PSV do not fear Manchester United, warns Cocu

PSV head coach Phillip Cocu insists that his side do not fear Manchester United ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash.

Louis van Gaal's side are heavy favourites to finish top of a group consisting of the Dutch champions, Wolfsburg and CSKA Moscow, with their 3-1 win over Liverpool on Saturday providing a welcome morale boost.

However, Cocu's side thumped Cambuur 6-0 over the weekend and the former Netherlands midfielder has warned that they are determined to prove their quality on Tuesday.

"I think we should respect each opponent, but we are not afraid of Manchester United," he told reporters. "We have no intention of throwing in the towel before we even get started. On the contrary, we want to make the most of this opportunity.

"These are the kinds of games everybody is really looking forward to. It was the same for me back in the days. We might have to slow down some of the players rather than motivate them. I think it is very important that everybody keeps a cool head. You have to remain focused. Details will be decisive.

"We are not going into the game thinking that we are likely to lose. That’s a negative approach. Our goal is to bag the full three points here, but we cannot afford to be naive."

Cocu - who confirmed that Adam Maher will not be fit for the clash - has also paid tribute to Van Gaal, who coached him during his spell at Barcelona.

"We worked together in the national team and at Barcelona as my coach. He made me a better coach, with the tactical skills, the way he worked with the team," he added. "Since I became a coach we sometimes met but we didn't speak about how we play the game."

 

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Boateng looking forward to Olympiacos ‘lion’s den’

Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng is looking forward to a hostile reception in Olympiacos.

The Bundesliga champions travel to Piraeus on Tuesday to play their opening Champions League Group F match, and the Germany centre-back is actively relishing the prospect of a partisan home crowd at the Karaiskakis Stadium.

“We are aiming for a good start and I like games with a lion's den atmosphere like there will be on Tuesday even more than just normal games,” he told the media.

“Champions League games are always special. You should enjoy it.”

Although the 27-year-old admitted that he is not too familiar with the hosts, he is aware that it promises to be a tough match.

“I haven't seen that much of Olympiacos but we know from last season that they have a good team. They have great individuals, are strong at counterattacks and play very aggressively,” he said.

Kingsley Coman could potentially make his Champions League bow for FCB after debuting at the weekend, and the young Frenchman has caught Boateng’s eye.

“He has made a good impression, he has done well in training, but of course he is still very young and doesn't speak German yet. You can see that he has big potential. We are happy to have him here.”

Another man who is determined to enjoy the experience is Thiago Alcantara, who is simply happy to be back on the field after a succession of physical problems.

“When you are injured a lot, then you can enjoy your time, when you're fit and well, that’s the case even more," he said.

“The Champions League is very important for us and a special competition. Everyone wants to play and show what he's able to do. It is a very intense competition as well and we want to go as far as possible.”

Bayern are seeking a sixth European title, having last won the crown in 2012-13.

 

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'He's trying to sell his book' - Benitez rebuffs Gerrard criticism

Rafael Benitez insists that Steven Gerrard’s claims that the Real Madrid manager never liked him are simply aimed at selling his autobiography.

Gerrard claims in his book that there is “no bond” between himself and the Spaniard, having endured a frosty relationship with Benitez during his time in charge at Anfield.

Benitez’s decision to use nicknames for other players but refer to the England international simply as "Gerrard" also riled the LA Galaxy midfielder, but the Real coach has now hit back, claiming simply that the 35-year-old is "wrong".

"Out of the respect that I have for Stevie and for the value and appreciation I have for him, and for Liverpool and the supporters, I think it's best to just let it pass," he said on Spanish television.

"He has brought out a book and now I'm the Real Madrid manager, that sells."

Benitez won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, with Gerrard playing a key role in the penalty shootout victory over AC Milan, while he also lifted the FA Cup in the following season.

 

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Van Gaal 'not satisfied' with Memphis but backs winger to improve

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal admits that he is not satisfied with the performances of summer signing Memphis Depay but has backed the winger to improve in the coming months.

United acquired Memphis for a fee of around £22.3 million from PSV Eindhoven and the 21-year-old has made seven appearances in all competitions thus far this season, scoring two goals.

Memphis is set to return to his former club in the Champions League on Tuesday and Van Gaal claims that the summer signing is yet to reach his full potential but believes the forward has the ability to thrive at Old Trafford.

"I think PSV is very difficult to beat in their home ground. The Eredivisie is younger and younger, that's why you have to be patient. That's how I have to be with Memphis, or [Jesse] Lingard, or [Adnan] Januzaj for that reason,” he told reporters.

“Players of 19, 20, 21 cannot be consistent. The Eredivisie is very nice to watch, the tactical solutions are nice to watch as well. But the EPL is difficult to play and Memphis is seeing that now.

"As a manager you are never satisfied, it's not so easy with the high rhythm in the PL. But he shall improve I think."

Fellow summer signing Anthony Martial made a goalscoring start to life at United, as he came off the bench to score the third goal in a 3-1 win over Liverpool on Saturday, and Van Gaal has called on supporters to be patient with both Memphis and the £58 million buy from Monaco.

"I have had only one day of training after the match and it was a light session because we have to play tomorrow, but his impression was good,” he said of the Frenchman.

“Also for him it's the same as for Memphis, you have to give him time and that's what I'm asking also from the fans because we cannot change the market price."

 

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Man City are one of the Champions League favourites - Allegri

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri believes Manchester City are one of the favourites to win the Champions League this season.

Allegri led the Serie A champions to the final of the competition in 2014-15, and feels City have as good a chance as anyone of picking up the silverware this time around.

City have begun the campaign in fine form, having won all five of their opening Premier League matches, which is in stark comparison to Juve, with the Italian outfit picking up one point from three matches in Serie A.

And Allegri has called on his players to raise their performance levels if they are to beat Manuel Pellegrini's side in their Group D opener.

"Manchester City are one of the Champions League favourites," he told reporters. "Tomorrow will be the first of six group matches and our aim is to get through.

"We'll need to put in an intense performance, show plenty of courage and also play at a high technical level.

"The team's given everything in the first three games, we've lacked goals and also been a little unlucky."

Juve captain Gianluigi Buffon has agreed with his manager regarding City being one of the best sides in the competition, and has hailed their attacking talent.

City signed both Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne over the summer to further bolster their forward line, and Buffon feels that their offensive players are some of the best on the continent.

"For me it will be my first time playing in this stadium, against City who are one of the candidates to win the Champions League," he said.

"It will be nice to start with such a big test. City have seven or eight of the best attacking players in Europe."

 

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Atletico not favourites for Galatasaray clash - Simeone

Diego Simeone has refused to suggest that Atletico Madrid are favourites for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Galatasaray but has promised that his side will attempt to play "aggressively".

The 2014 finalists will be heavily fancied to progress from Group C, ahead of further games with Astana and Benfica, having also reached the quarter-finals of the competition last season.

Simeone, though, remains wary of the Turkish club as his side prepare to make the often difficult trip to the Turk Telekom Arena.

"We couldn't describe ourselves as favourites," he told reporters.

"A team's quality and momentum are the decisive factors in the Champions League. It is a very important and difficult competition.

"At this level it is hard to say that any team is favourite for a particular game, especially when it is thought that we will play against a 55,000 crowd tomorrow.

"Therefore, in the first minutes, we will try to play much more aggressively. We will try to control the game with this tactic.

"All teams have different motivations for the Champions League. Gala [are] going to play better than their previous [league] games. They have big players such as [Lukas] Podolski."

Simeone saw his side beaten for the first time in the league in 2015-16 on Saturday, going down to Spanish and European champions Barcelona at the Vicente Calderon.

"We are working step-by-step to reach the ideal starting line-up. Galatasaray are very effective in attack," he added, suggesting Jackson Martinez and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco could feature.

"[Carrasco and Martinez] are taking it day by day. As you know, we are going to play a lot of competitions this year. That's why I must give a chance to new players."

 

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Depay: I WILL celebrate if I score against PSV


Memphis Depay says he will celebrate in front of his former PSV supporters if he scores for Manchester United in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old returns to face the club he left in a £22.3 million summer transfer, but he insists that, while he still holds great affection for his old side, he is now fully committed to helping United succeed in Europe.

“I have been asked that question a lot but it’s still a game and football is an expression, so I will celebrate if I score,” Depay told a pre-match press conference.

“Obviously I have a lot of respect for PSV but I play for Manchester United now so if I score I will celebrate.”

Depay concedes that it will be a unique experience to step out onto the Philips Stadion turf as a United player just three months after ending his nine-year association with PSV.

“Of course it will be special, I played here [almost] 10 years before coming to Manchester United. It will be good to see my old team-mates, it will be interesting,” he added.

“When I came on the pitch here for the first time I was very young, so I will think about that when I train on Monday, but on Tuesday it will be a different thing. It will be interesting but I think we’ll do a good job here.”

Depay has had a rollercoaster start to his United career, scoring twice in the home leg of the 7-1 Champions League play-off win over Club Brugge but struggling in the Premier League.

His domestic difficulties were brought to a head on Saturday, when he was substituted at half-time of the victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford.

But he insists that he is learning all the time as he looks to adapt to the English game.

“I learnt so much here, but as the boss says the Premier League is on a different level. I have to learn to improve in the English game. I learnt so much at PSV but it’s different.

“It’s a new experience for me, and I have to improve. I know that.”

And Depay admits that he is turning to his team-mates for advice as he looks to get to grips with the pace and intensity of the Premier League.

“Of course [Anthony Martial and I] are both young so we can help each other and ask each other questions. The same goes for Luke Shaw, he has played in the Premier League a lot more than me so I ask him a lot of questions," he added.

United’s opening Champions League Group B fixture gets underway at 19:45 BST on Tuesday.

 

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Ibrahimovic: It's beyond a dream to play against Malmo

Zlatan Ibrahimovic admits it is beyond a dream for him to line up against boyhood club Malmo for Paris Saint-Germain this week.

Laurent Blanc confirmed the talismanic striker should be fit to feature against the Swedish champions in PSG's Champions League opener on Tuesday, having been rested for the weekend clash with Bordeaux.

And Ibrahimovic, who began his professional career with his hometown club in 1999, says he cannot wait for the chance to meet his old employers."It means a lot to me," he told PSG's official website ahead of the game. "I have a lot of good memories from there, even if I didn't win any trophies.

"I come from the city. To have the chance to play against them in the Champions league... there's nothing better!"I'm also very happy for Malmo - first of all, that the club is playing the Champions League, and secondly, that I have the chance to play in my home town against my former club. It will be a fantastic moment.

"I'm not only happy for the club, but also for city. I was born there, my friends are there. Malmo will always be my home. I will never forget where I come from, or where I'm going. I will always represent the city."It's more than a dream. For me, it's destiny. Last year I wanted to play against Malmo, but it didn't happen.

"I will enjoy every second of these matches. But I'm a Paris Saint-Germain player and I will give everything for this club. We need to win on Tuesday."

 

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Mertesacker unhurt after car crash

Per Mertesacker was involved in a minor car crash on Monday but was unhurt, Goal can confirm.

The Arsenal defender was returning home from training in heavy rain and lost control of his car on the M1, hitting the central reservation in the process.

It is understood that only Mertesacker was involved in the incident, with the car aquaplaning, but reports have suggested that the Germany international was left “shaken” by the incident.

Arsenal face Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday but Mertesacker is not expected to play, with Arsene Wenger revealing before the crash that he was not yet fit enough to feature.

“With Mertesacker, it was a serious condition and he is not ready today to play,” he told reporters.

“I believe by the end of the week he should be much better.”

Mertesacker may, however, return to the pitch in time for Arsenal’s clash with Chelsea this weekend.

 

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Wolfsburg will cope without De Bruyne - Slutsky

Wolfsburg remain a talented side despite the departure of Kevin De Bruyne , CSKA Moscow boss Leonid Slutsky has warned.

Belgium star De Bruyne completed his protracted move to Manchester City shortly before the close of the transfer window, with Wolfsburg moving swiftly to sign Schalke forward Julian Draxler as his replacement.

With centre-back Dante also having moved to the Volkswagen Arena from Bayern Munich, Slutsky believes De Bruyne's exit will not prove to be hugely damaging as he prepares his side to face last season's Bundesliga runners-up in the Champions League.

"It will be an important game but also a difficult match for us," he told reporters. "I'm responsible for the team and I can feel a lot of pressure but I can handle that. Wolfsburg are a very good team and we await a tough opponent.

"Wolfsburg have lost Kevin De Bruyne but nevertheless they are able to react with the transfers of Dante and Julian Draxler.

"They have a lot of quality in their squad and we will definitely have to play very seriously to get something out of this match."

 

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Benteke: I'd swap Old Trafford goal for a Liverpool win

Christian Benteke admits he would gladly have swapped his Old Trafford wonder goal for a Liverpool victory following their defeat to Manchester United.

Daley Blind and Ander Herrera had put Louis van Gaal's side in control of Saturday's game before Benteke unleashed a stunning overhead kick to halve the deficit in the closing stages.

However, Anthony Martial's debut goal sealed a 3-1 win for United and condemned Liverpool to a second successive defeat in the Premier League - a result the Belgium international accepts was fully deserved.

"The goal was just instinct," Benteke told Liverpool's official website. "I saw the ball come into the box and I just thought I had to try it.

"I had some luck and I am happy with it, but we didn't get the three points. For my own confidence it was good but, at the end of the day, I would have rather taken the three points and so I'm disappointed.

"In the first half, we didn't play. The second half was a little bit better but, in general, we didn't deserve a victory.

"When I scored, I thought in my mind that maybe we could come back, but they scored to make it 3-1 and that killed our hopes.

"We have to show more. When you play for a club like Liverpool, you have to show more. That's what we're going to do now in training - work hard. Work hard, and try to play well."

Saturday's defeat leaves Liverpool with seven points from their opening five matches, with league leaders Manchester City eight points ahead.

 

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Young tells Van Gaal: I can be Man Utd's striker

Ashley Young feels he has what it takes to play as a striker for Manchester United should Louis van Gaal need him to play there.

Wayne Rooney will miss Tueday's clash with PSV with a hamstring injury, leaving youngsters Anthony Martial and James Wilson as the only recognised strikers, though Marouane Fellaini could start up front in Eindhoven, as he did against Liverpool at the weekend.

And though Young is happy to play in any position, he feels experience of playing as a central striker for Aston Villa would allow him to do the job for the Red Devils.

"If the manager wants me to play there then yes, of course I would," he told reporters.

"I can play in lots of positions and I have done that under the manager, whether it is up front or in midfield. Hopefully I can play there [through the middle] but it’s up to the manager.”

"He has said it to me before, but it is down to him. He has that headache of picking the team, so rather him than me."

Young is in contention to start in the Netherlands after impressing as a substitute in Saturday's 3-1 win over Liverpool and the England international hopes he can force his way into the starting XI in the coming weeks.

"It has [been a while]. Every player in the squad wants to be in the starting XI and I am not different," he added.

I want to play as much as I can, but when I am called from the bench as I was against Liverpool, I just want to show the manager that I am ready and willing to give 100 per cent.

"I have always said that it is good to have competition for places and we have that in abundance in the squad."

 

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Benaglio confident as Wolfsburg make Champions League return

Long-serving goalkeeper Diego Benaglio believes Wolfsburg are better equipped to deal with the demands of the Champions League than when they were Bundesliga title holders.

Benaglio was part of the side that sensationally pipped Bayern Munich to the German title in 2008-09 but feels Wolfsburg’s current crop - who followed the Bavarian giants home in second last time around and collected the DFB Pokal - hold the edge over a squad that failed to get out of the group stage in 2009.

"Compared to our participation [in 2009/2010], we are more solid as a unit," he told a press conference.

"I am convinced we can survive the group."

Wolfsburg were also paired with Tuesday's opponents CSKA Moscow on that occasion and opened up with a 3-1 win in the Russian capital that their goalkeeper would be delighted to repeat.

"With a similar result to that in the opening game, we can do very well," Benaglio added.

"We need two or three more points than last time."

 

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Van Gaal not sure if Manchester United can compete in the Champions League

Louis van Gaal admits he is not yet sure if his Manchester United side can compete in the Champions League.

United will make their return in the competition after a one-year absence on Tuesday night when they take on PSV at the Phillips Stadion.

Van Gaal believes it is a "challenge" for his players to show they can compete at a level which he considers to be higher than the Premier League, but says it remains to be seen whether they can do so.

"I think the fans shall see a Man Utd that will fight for its chances," he told the press. "We will show on the pitch if we are able to win matches on the highest level, that's a challenge for us now.

"Last year we were fourth, we qualified this year, that was our aim. Now we have to show if we are good enough for that level, and I don't know, I have to see myself.

"I think the Champions League is a level above the Premier League but we will see."

Van Gaal also suggested David De Gea will continue as United's first-choice goalkeeper in the competition.

The Spain international signed a new four-year contract at Old Trafford last Friday following the collapse of his proposed summer transfer to Real Madrid, and he returned to the starting line-up for the home win against Liverpool.

Argentina international Sergio Romero had played United's first six games of the season as De Gea appeared to be closing in on a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, but now appears unlikely to see much first-team action.

Asked whether he would use two different keepers for domestic and European competition, Van Gaal replied: "No, I'm not a supporter of that. I always play my best team."

 

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Man City's failure to sign Pogba 'important for football' - Buffon

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon feels Manchester City's failure to sign Paul Pogba is "important" for modern football.

The France international was courted by City, Chelsea and Barcelona over the summer but opted to stay with the Serie A champions.

Buffon believes his team-mate was the best player in Europe last season, and his willingness to remain in Italy shows the richer clubs cannot always sign the players they want.

"The level that Paul Pogba was playing at last season, there was nobody better in the world, and I include [Lionel] Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo in that," he told the Daily Mirror.

"When you are at that level, stories are always going to be written about your future.

"Manchester City are one of three or four clubs in the world that can pay what I call crazy money, so it’s only natural they were interested in him.

"He made his intentions to stay with Juventus very clear though, and that was important for us, but also important for football. It showed that money doesn’t always win."

Pogba will come face-to-face with City as Juve travel to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday for their opening Champions League clash of the campaign.